Apparatus and method for securing medical instruments

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument securing device is provided for holding medical instruments. The surgical instrument securing device may be formed from a silicone, rubber, or other polymer based base and may be elastomeric. Slots in the base may define one or more substantially arcuate, circular, elliptical, or other geometrically shaped spaces within the base which open towards at least one side of the base, wherein one or more surgical instruments may be secured by inserting a portion of the instrument into one of the slots. A method for securing surgical instruments is also provided wherein surgical instruments are secured by inserting a portion of the instruments into the slots within the silicone or other polymer based base.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for securingmedical instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates toan apparatus and method for securing medical instruments using asilicone, rubber, or other polymer based base or base.

BACKGROUND

Surgical instruments are generally organized, cleaned, stored, and movedwithin a hospital or other medical facility on securing devices known assurgical instrument stringers (or simply as “instrument stringers” or“stringers”). Instrument stringers come in various sizes and shapes. Twocommon types of instrument stringers include a U-shaped instrumentstringer and a single armed instrument stringer as shown in FIGS. 1 and2 respectively. U-shaped and single armed stringers are commonlyavailable with a clasp at the distal ends to keep the surgicalinstruments secured to the stringers. U-shaped and single armedstringers may be used to hold instruments during sterilization and fordelivery to the surgical field.

While common, the use of instrument stringers raises potentialdifficulties. For example, instrument stringers generally allow medicalpersonnel to either secure instruments in place or to rapidly removeinstruments from the stringer. However, they usually do not provide amethod for both securing the surgical instruments in place and for rapidremoval of the instruments from the same stringer.

Stringers used to sterilize surgical instruments may not be suitable forthe display and access of the same surgical instruments. Similarly,stringers used for display and access of instruments may not be suitablefor securing the same instruments in place. If a stringer suitable fordisplay and access is used for sterilization of surgical instruments,the instruments may become jumbled during the normal sterilizationhandling process.

There are other potential difficulties to using instrument stringers aswell. For example, assembling sets of instruments on stringers is verytime consuming and one of the most labor-intensive steps in thesterilization process. Surgical instrument stringers may hold sets ofinstruments ranging anywhere from about thirty to about seventyinstruments. Often during a medical procedure, less than half of thesurgical instruments on a stringer get used for the procedure andsometimes no more than twenty percent of the stringer instruments willget used.

Considerable time may be spent before and after medical proceduresorganizing and sorting used and unused surgical instruments. Before amedical procedure, sterile instruments that may be used during theprocedure are usually removed from an instrument stringer and organizedin a sterile field in preparation for the procedure. Thus, for example,a surgical technician may line up a number of scalpels, forceps andother instruments that are likely to be used on a tray in the operatingroom. A significant amount of time may be devoted to sorting, arranging,and counting the clean instruments so the surgical technician can beassured that needed instruments are available, while keeping the trayfrom being cluttered with instruments which are unlikely to be used.

After a medical procedure, used instruments must be processed by beingcleaned, inspected, and sterilized. Unused instruments generally requireless processing and a lower level of scrutiny as blood and tissue arenot present on the instruments. However, while in the surgical field orduring medical procedures, the used and unused instruments may mingle,become mixed, or touch one another. Thus, unused instruments are alsoconsidered contaminated. It is often the central processing technician'sjob to inspect all instruments, both used and unused for any signs ofblood and tissue and to clean the instruments prior to sterilization.

Furthermore, instrument stringers can be very expensive to purchasebecause they are made of costly materials, such as stainless steel. Forexample, the cost for a set of stringers may range anywhere from about$30 to as much as $120. Moreover, because some medical facilities mayneed to keep hundreds of instrument stringers in stock to organize andstore all of their surgical instruments, the cost to purchase andmaintain an adequate supply of stringers can be substantial.

Thus, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for securingsurgical instruments that cost effectively reduces time and resourcesused for pre- and post medical procedure processing of surgicalinstruments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above and other objects of the present invention,a surgical instrument securing device is provided that is comprised of abase which may be formed from a base of material. The material may besilicone, rubber, or other polymer based materials. Additionally, thematerial may be non-porous to improve the sterilizabilty.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the surgicalinstrument securing device is made of a material and is configured sothat it can undergo a sterilization process without substantial or rapiddegradation of the material.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a surgicalinstrument securing device is provided wherein the device includes oneor more substantially spherical, cylindrical, elliptical, or othergeometrically shaped space or spaces opening towards at least one sideof the device wherein surgical instruments may be secured by inserting aportion of the instruments into the opening(s) on at least one side ofthe device.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a surgicalinstrument securing device is provided having a plurality of openings ina base forming the device for inserting and securing one or moresurgical instruments.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a surgicalinstrument securing device is provided which may be formed from asilicone, rubber, or other polymer based base that may be suitable forsecuring the instruments during sterilization and for delivery anddisplay on the surgical field.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a surgicalinstrument securing device is provided including a silicone, rubber, orother polymer base that may be suitable for displaying and accessinginstruments rapidly.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a surgicalinstrument securing device is provided including a base having asilicone, rubber, or other polymer that may be suitable for cleaning,sorting, sterilization, and display while permitting individualinstruments to be removed quickly without disturbing neighboringinstruments secured in the surgical instrument securing device.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a surgicalinstrument securing device may be formed of a base having silicone,rubber, or other polymer wherein surgical instruments may beindividually inserted into any one of the one or more openings in thesilicone, rubber, or polymer without disturbing any neighboringinstruments secured within the surgical instrument securing device.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is providedfor securing and displaying surgical instruments using a base whereinthe instruments may be secured and assembled in a pre-designated orderand wherein the pre-designated instrument assembly may be placed in thesurgical field. Additionally, the method may include improved trackingof the surgical instruments to ensure that no instruments have been leftin the patient's body.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is providedfor securing and displaying surgical instruments using a silicone,rubber, or other polymer base wherein surgical instruments may be usedwithout mingling, mixing, or touching the used instruments with theunused instruments.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is providedfor sterilizing surgical instruments while secured in a silicone,rubber, or other polymer base wherein surgical instruments may besecured and assembled in a pre-designated order.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a typical U-shaped surgical instrument stringer inaccordance with the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a typical single armed surgical instrument stringer inaccordance with the prior art;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a surgical instrument securingdevice in accordance with one aspect the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the surgical instrument securingdevice of FIG. 3A with a plurality of surgical instruments disposedtherein;

FIG. 4 shows an end view of the surgical instrument securing device ofFIGS. 3A and 3B;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a surgical instrument securing device inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of a surgical instrument securing device inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 shows an end view of a surgical instrument securing device inaccordance with one aspect of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that FIGS. 3-7 are merely illustrative of aspectsof the invention and not limiting of the scope of the invention which isdefined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish variousaspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is notpossible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in asingle figure. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish alladvantages of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed inreference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilledin the art to practice the present invention. The drawings anddescriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and arenot intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. It should benoted that the terms “surgical instruments” and “medical instruments”are used interchangeably herein and refer to the broadest definition ofthe terms, and are not limited to those instruments only used insurgeries, but include any type of instruments used in any medicalprocedure, including dental and other procures.

Prior to a surgical procedure, it is common for a surgical technician ornurse to acquire the instruments which are likely to be used during theprocedure. This may include obtaining a surgical stringer containing theinstruments or collecting instruments from a variety of differentstringers. The surgical instruments are typically placed on a tray whichwill be positioned adjacent the surgical technician or nurse duringsurgery. During the procedure, various instruments are handed to thesurgeon and then returned to the tray when no longer in need. Becausesurgeries often do not go according to plan, the surgical technician ornurse will usually include a number of instruments which are less likelyto be used, but need to be available in case they are needed.

As mentioned above, it is not uncommon for used instruments to come intocontact with unused instruments. Thus, all of the instruments will needto be re-sterilized after the procedure. Moreover, the nurse or surgicaltechnician is usually required to count the instruments to ensure thateach instrument is accounted for after the surgery to ensure that nonehas been left in the patient. Additionally, the nurse or centralprocessing technician must often hand clean any used instruments toremove blood and tissue after the procedure, but prior tore-sterilization. When used and unused instruments are disposed on thetray, it may be difficult to determine which have been used and whichhave not. To this end, it is common to treat all of the instruments asused—requiring careful inspection. The set-up and clean-up before andafter surgery can be very time consuming. In accordance with the presentinvention, however, the process can be streamlined, thereby saving timeand expense for the hospital.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a surgical instrument securing device,generally indicated at 100, is disclosed in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The surgical instrument securingdevice 100 may include a base 104 with at least one opening 108 on thetop surface of base 104 and an inner wall structure forming a voidconfigured to allow insertion of a plurality of medical instruments 132,134, 136, and 138 (FIG. 3B) into the base 104. The medical instrumentsmay engage the base in such a manner than they are held in place untilneeded. This may be done by having a plurality of slots which receivethe medical instruments and/or by frictionally engaging the medicalinstruments with the inner wall structure defining the void. Medicalinstruments that may be secured by the device 100 include, but are notlimited to, forceps, clamps, scissors, and the like. The base isparticularly beneficial for any instruments having finger rings,although other shaped instruments may be used as well.

As shown in the figures, the base 104 includes two openings 108 whichlead into two voids in the base, each being defined by an inner wallstructures. It should be appreciated that the base 104 may include anynumber of openings 108 and that the voids may extend part way along thebase or, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, may extend the entire length ofthe base.

Each of the openings 108 may be positioned in communication with aplurality of slots 112 which are formed into the inner wall structuresand configured to receive a portion of medical instruments to therebyhold the medical instruments within the base 104 (as shown in FIG. 3B).The slots 112 may be disposed in the base 104 perpendicular to thelength of the openings 108, although this is not required. In one aspectof the invention (not shown), the slots 112 may be disposed in the base104 at an angle less than 90° in relation to the openings 108.

It will be appreciated that the base 104 and the void(s) may be of anydesired size suitable to hold medical instruments. However, as currentlyanticipated, the base is likely between 3 and 24 inches long, 3 and 6inches wide, and ½ inch to 6 inches high, with 8-12 inches long, 3-4inches wide and 2-3 inches deep being typical. The voids extending fromthe openings 108 may be, for example, between about ¾ths of an inch toan 1.5 inches wide and ¾ths to 1.5 inches deep depending on the size ofthe finger rings and whether is desired to have inwardly extending staysdisposed in the voids (i.e. the forceps etc., being partially open) orextending above the middle portion of the base. Additionally each slotmay be between 1/16^(th) and ¼^(th) of an inch deep to accommodatedifferent thicknesses of forceps, etc.

The planar shape of the slots 112 in planes parallel to an end 110 ofthe base 104 may be any shape, such as rectangular, square, triangular,or round, although preferably the slots 112 may be generally arcuate,such as circular or elliptical as shown in FIG. 4. The opening 108 maybe disposed above a geometric center point of the planar shape definingthe slot 112 so that the opening 108 is narrower than the width of theslots 112 below the opening 108. This allows the device 100 to securethe finger rings 144 or other grasping structures of medical instrumentsin the device 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4, the planarshape of the slots 112 is semi-circular to almost circular, and thecenter points (not shown) of the semi-circles defining the planar shapeof the slots 112 are located beneath the openings 108. In anotheraspect, the planar shapes of the slots 112 are scallops.

By forming the base 104 from an elastomeric or flexible material, theportion of the walls defining the narrower opening 108 may flexoutwardly as an instrument is being pulled out or pushed into theopening, thereby allowing the instrument to be placed in or removed fromthe void. Under ambient conditions, however, the walls engage the handleor proximal portion of the surgical/medical instrument or are otherwisepositioned to hold the instrument in the void and typically in a desiredslot 112.

Also shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a lettering or numbering system 124which is in alignment with and identifies the slots (only letters areshown to avoid confusion with numbering in the drawings). A surgicaltechnician may use the lettering or numbering system to identify whichtools are present and which have been used. For example, slots “a”through “e” may be various types of clamps. If at the end of a surgeryslots “d” and “e” are empty, the technician may know that he should havea the two types of clamps associated with those slots in the usedinstrument tray. Thus, the device of the present invention not onlyholds medical or surgical instruments, it helps the technician verifywhat has been used and what is present to ensure that instruments arenot lost or left in a patient.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side view of the base 104 is provided withthe outline of the slots 112 being shown in dashed lines. Thecross-sectional shape of the slots 112 (the shape as would be seen inthe planes parallel to a side 114) may also be arcuate or triangular, orother similar shape creating a groove along each of slots 112. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4, the cross-sectional shape ofeach of the slots 112 is generally circular, thus creating grooves 118in which the instruments can rest without moving or sliding intoadjacent slots. In one aspect of the invention, this shape of the slots112 is uniform along the entire length of the slots 112, thus creating agroove 118 along the entire circumference of the slots 112.

Referring again to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4, the slots 112 may extend up tothe opening 108 and thus define the inside and outside opening edges 120and 122, respectively, with a plurality of ridges and scallops 116 orother shapes that help secure instruments in the slots 112 (see FIG. 4).In one aspect of the invention, the ridges and scallops 116 or othershapes of the opening edges 120 and 122 are determined by thecross-sectional shape of the slots 112, i.e. a slot having an arcuatecross-sectional shape will create inside and outside opening edges 118and 120 having arcuate ridges, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. A slothaving a triangular cross-sectional shape along its periphery willcreate inside and outside opening edges having straight ridges (notshown).

It will be appreciated that the various slots 112 in the base 104 may beof different configurations and shapes if desired. For example,different sized slots 112 in one base 104 could be used to accommodatedifferent sized instruments in the base 104.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 6, the slots 112 may be positioned in thebase 104 in aligned rows so as to allow medical instruments 132, 134,136, 138 having two finger rings 144 or other grasping structures to bedisposed in the slots 112, with each finger ring 144 or graspingstructure of one instrument in a separate slot 112 in the same row.(While FIG. 3B shows only a few instruments for clarity, it will beappreciated that each slot 112 could have a medical instrument), with abase potentially holding two dozen or more instruments. This allows atechnician or a nurse to position a large number of surgical instrumentsin a particular order. It should also be appreciated that, in anotheraspect not expressly shown, an instrument may be secured in only oneslot (such as by removing the central wall structure between theopenings 108). Referring again to FIG. 3B, each of the openings 108 hassixteen slots 112. Thus, a nurse or technician can place sixteeninstruments into the device 100, and may do so in a desired order (e.g.most likely to use instruments located in the slots closest to end 110).To facilitate this, labeling 124 may be provided adjacent each slot 112,such as numbering or lettering (corresponding to an inventory list) ornames of the instruments, to indicate which instrument should be presentin the various slots 112.

The slots 112 are generally formed in the base 104 so as to snuglysecure the instruments in the device 100, such that the instruments donot fall out when the device 100 is tipped to a side or upside down.This may be accomplished in one aspect by forming the width of theopenings to be smaller than the width of the finger rings 144 and anyextension thereto. In another embodiment, this may be done by formingthe width of the slots 112 to be narrower than the width of the fingerrings 144 of the instruments, such that the finger rings 144 must expandthe base 104 in order to fit in the device 100.

In one aspect of the invention, the base 104 may be made of asubstantially polymer based material. The polymer base 104 may have amass formed of silicone, rubber, or any other polymer based material, ora composite of any of the foregoing which will withstand thetemperatures, chemicals, and handling in the sterilization process,including those encountered in an autoclave. In accordance with onespecific aspect of the invention, the material which forms the base 104is non-porous so as to avoid leaving open cells which can receivecontaminants and are harder to sterilize. In another aspect of theinvention, the base 104 may be formed from a material which iselastomeric. This allows the base 104 to deform as a medical instrumentis inserted by being pushed into slots 112 in the base 104, therebysecuring the finger rings 144 or other grasping structure of the medicalinstrument. For example, outside wall 114 of the base 104 may deflectoutward slightly as the medical instrument is inserted or removed fromthe slots 112. In an ambient state, however, the outside wall 114 willhold the medical instrument in place.

In another aspect of the invention (not shown), the base 104 may includea hollow frame structure having the general shape of the surgicalinstrument securing device 100, with a polymer coating on the frame toimpart flexibility and elasticity for securing surgical instruments inthe device 100. The frame may be made of any material, such as a metal,stainless steel, or composite. This embodiment has the advantage ofreducing the amount of material needed to make the surgical instrumentsecuring device 100.

The base 104 may be any shape, but in one specific aspect as shown inFIGS. 3A-6, the base 104 has substantially square or rectangular shapedsides and top and bottom surfaces. In one particular embodiment, thesurgical instrument securing device 100 may be approximately four incheswide, two inches high, and have a variable length depending on thenumber of instruments the surgical instrument securing device 100 isconfigured to hold. However, it would be readily understood by oneskilled in the art that the present device 100 could be made using anynumber of shape variations as well as variations in height, width, andlength, so long as the openings 108 are configured to accept and securethe surgical instruments.

In another aspect of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, the base104 may have one or more cutout portions 150 to reduce the bulk andweight of the device 100, aid in flexibility of the device 100, and toreduce the material needed to produce the device 100. This results incost savings in the manufacture of the device 100, and easier handlingby surgical technicians or nurses. FIG. 7 shows a triangular cutoutalong the length of the base 104, but it should be appreciated that anyshape of cutout, in any location on the base 104 that does not interferewith the slots 112, may be implemented. As shown in FIG. 7, the cutoutmay also be in one or more sides, or in the central portion between thevoids. Such may be done, for example, by simply forming holes 130 orother voids 132 through the base 104. In another aspect (not shown), thebase 104 may have grips formed in the outside walls 114 to aid incarrying and transporting the device 100. The grips may compriseindentations in the outside walls for receiving an individual's fingers,or the grips may comprise protruding handles for gripping.

Referring again to FIG. 5, in another aspect of the present invention,the device 100 may have holes 136 formed in communication with thebottom of the slots 112 that extend to the bottom of the base 104. Theholes 112 may aid in the drying of the device 100 during washing andsterilization by allowing liquid to drain out of the bottom of the slots112.

In another aspect of the present invention, the surgical instrumentsecuring device 100 may have connection means (not shown) on the ends110 of the base 104 for connecting two or more surgical instrumentsecuring devices 100. This provides the advantage of allowing a surgicalteam to tailor the length and instrument-carrying capacity of thesurgical instrument securing device 100 to the particular procedure. Forexample, where some procedures do not require many instruments, ashorter surgical instrument securing device 100 may be used. But when acomplicated procedure is involved requiring many more instruments,additional surgical instrument securing devices 100 may be connected tosecure all of the instruments that may be needed. The connection meansmay be any type of attachment device known to those of skill in the art,including but not limited to hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, straps,magnets, snap-fittings, and the like. In another aspect, the connectionmeans may comprise a base having the desired length that adaptably andremovably fits to the bottom surfaces of two or more devices 100.

In another aspect of the invention, the surgical instrument securingdevice 100 has suspension means (not shown) on an outside edge 114 forholding or suspending the device 100 in a manner that causes the tips ofthe instruments secured by the device 100 to angle downwards, such astoward a tray or table, or into a cleaning or sterilizing solution. Thesuspension means may comprise hooks, loops, rings, and the like. Thesuspension means allows all of the instruments secured in the device tobe cleansed or sterilized at the same time.

In another aspect of the invention, the surgical instrument securingdevice 100 is weighted near the bottom surface to aid in the stabilityof the device 100 and to prevent it from tipping over. For example, thismay be accomplished by attaching the base 104 to a heavier base.

The surgical instrument securing device 100 can be made using any numberof injection molding or compressed molding techniques well known in theart. It should be understood, however, that the method of making thesurgical instrument securing device 100 is not limited to thesetechniques and could be made by any other number of other manufacturingtechniques also known in the art.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofsecuring a surgical instrument is disclosed, comprising: inserting asurgical instrument into one or more openings positioned on a first sideof a polymer base wherein the one or more openings on the first side ofthe polymer base are configured to accept and secure the proximal endsof the surgical instrument.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofsterilizing surgical instruments secured in a surgical instrumentsecuring device is disclosed comprising: inserting a portion of one ormore surgical instruments into one or more openings positioned on afirst side of a polymer base wherein the one or more openings on thefirst side of the polymer base is configured to accept and secure theproximal ends of the surgical instrument; and sterilizing the securingdevice and the surgical instruments, such as by using a standardsterilization procedure. In accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention, a method of sterilizing surgical instruments securedin a surgical instrument securing device is disclosed wherein thesterilization procedure includes using an autoclave to sterilize thesurgical instruments.

The surgical instrument securing device 100 provides many advantageswhen used during a surgical procedure. For example, the device 100obviates the need to remove all of the surgical instruments from atypical stringer and place them on a tray for the procedure, because thebase 104 holding the instruments may be placed directly on the tray. Thebase 104 maintains the instruments off the tray and thus out of contactwith the tray and other objects on the tray, such as used surgicalinstruments. As the surgeon requires various instruments during theprocedure, a technician or nurse can readily access the neededinstrument from the device 100 because they are arranged in an orderknown to the technician or nurse. Used instruments may be returned tothe tray during the procedures, avoiding contact with the unusedinstruments held in the base 104, and thereby reducing the need to handinspect and clean the unused instruments after the procedure iscompleted. Instruments can be inserted and removed easily and quicklywithout disturbing (and potentially contaminating) or having to removeother instruments.

Once a surgical procedure is completed, the nurse or technician cancompare the used instruments on the tray to the unused slots 112 in thebase 104, thereby confirming that each instrument which was brought intothe operating room has been removed from the patient's body. This may befacilitated by the lettering or numbering 124. For example, if slots 3,15, 27 and 30 are empty, the technician or nurse may know that the trayshould have a gall bladder forceps in slot (3), a gall stone forceps inslot (15), a 3.25 inch towel clamp in slot (27) and a 5.25 inch towelclamp in slot (30). By confirming that each used instrument is on thetray, the nurse or technician can verify to the surgeon that allinstruments have been removed from the patient.

Each of the used tools can then be hand inspected and cleaned andreturned to the slots from which each was taken. Device 100 and all ofthe instruments it contains may then be re-sterilized. Afterre-sterilization, the device 100 and all of the instruments it containsare ready to be used in the next procedure. The technician or nurse canprovide the instruments to the surgeon directly from the base 104,rather than taking the time to go through one or more stringers and setthem out on a tray. Hours of nurse or technician time may thus be savedby avoiding the need to set up and track the used instruments versus theinstruments set out on the tray (which can vary each time) and reducingthe need to inspect unused but potentially cross-contaminatedinstruments. Additionally, better control of instruments is provided asone can instantly confirm that all medical instruments are accountedfor.

It will be appreciated that the device 100 and use thereof willsignificantly reduce both set-up time before and clean-up time after asurgical procedure. A hospital may have a number of the devices 100,with each being dedicated for a particular type of surgery, or with allof them assembled the same. This enables the technician or nurse toquickly learn the order of the instruments with which they work,allowing them to quickly provide the needed instrument to the surgeonand to quickly confirm that each instrument that has been removed fromthe base 104 during a surgery is located on the tray (or back in theslot if preferred) prior to verifying that every instrument has beenremoved from the patient.

There is thus disclosed an improved apparatus and method for securingsurgical instruments. It will be appreciated that numerous changes maybe made to the present invention without departing from the scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument securing device comprising:a base made having a polymer based material, the base having at leastone opening on at least one side of the base; and wherein the at leastone opening on the at least one side of the base are configured toaccept and secure at least one or more surgical instruments.
 2. Thesurgical instrument securing device of claim 1, wherein the baseincludes one or more of silicone, rubber, or a composite thereof.
 3. Thesurgical instrument securing device of claim 1, wherein the at least oneopening on the at least one side of the device comprises a plurality ofslots configured for holding surgical instruments.
 4. The surgicalinstrument securing device of claim 3, wherein plurality of slotsincludes at least one slot which is generally arcuate.
 5. The surgicalinstrument securing device of claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shapeof the at least one slot is generally arcuate.
 6. The surgicalinstrument securing device of claim 3, wherein the at least one slot isgrooved.
 7. The surgical instrument securing device of claim 3, wherein:the at least one opening includes a first opening and a second opening,wherein the second opening is substantially parallel to the firstopening; and wherein the plurality of slots includes a plurality ofslots extending from the first opening and a plurality of slotsextending from the second opening; and wherein the plurality of slots inthe first opening are substantially aligned with the plurality of slotsin the second opening.
 8. The surgical instrument securing device ofclaim 7, wherein the plurality of slots in the first opening and theplurality of slots in the second opening are grooved.
 9. The surgicalinstrument securing device of claim 1, wherein the width of the openingis narrower than the width of finger rings on surgical instruments. 10.The surgical instrument securing device of claim 3, wherein the width ofthe slots is narrower than the width of finger rings on the surgicalinstruments.
 11. The surgical instrument securing device of claim 1,wherein the base is non-porous.
 12. The surgical instrument securingdevice of claim 1, wherein the base is elastomeric.
 13. The surgicalinstrument securing device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of slotsare labeled.
 14. A method of securing a surgical instrument comprising:selecting a base having at least one opening formed therein; andinserting a portion of a surgical instrument into the at least oneopening so that the surgical instrument engages the based so as tosecure the surgical instrument in the base.
 15. The method according toclaim 14, wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality ofslots, and wherein the method further comprises disposing a plurality ofmedical instruments into the slots so as to hold the plurality ofmedical instruments in the base.
 16. The method according to claim 15,wherein the medical instruments comprise at least one of forceps andclamps and wherein finger rings of the medical instruments are securedin the base.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the base iselastomeric and wherein the step of inserting comprises pushing themedical instrument into the base to deform the base.
 18. A method forcontrolling use of medical instruments, the method comprising: disposinga plurality of medical instruments in a base; sterilizing the pluralityof medical instruments while in the base; taking the base and medicalinstrument to a surgical procedure; selectively removing medicalinstruments during a surgical procedure; maintaining any medicalinstrument used in the surgical procedure outside of the base until ithas been cleaned and inspected; and returning any used medicalinstrument to the base.
 19. The method according to claim 18, whereinthe method further comprises re-sterilizing the base and medicalinstruments secured in the base.
 20. A system for use in a surgicalprocedure, the system comprising: a base made of elastomeric,autoclavable material having a plurality of slots formed therein; and aplurality of surgical instruments disposed in the slots.